Upgrading audio recording gear

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gianlu5080

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Hello,

I mainly record classical solo piano music (recitals in theatres and auditorium with very good acoustics) and I'm very proud of the results: by now I used a km183 spaced pair in A-B recording technique through an M-audio usb Duo (preamp, AD converter and audio card all in a box) connected to an Apple powerbook.

I need to upgrade some of my gear to get even better results, and i'm focusing on the following options (but feel free to add new ones):

1- RME fireface 800 : 4 good preamps and very good converters (very good value for money, but really a step up from my actual configuration?

2- A Mackie 1202 vlz pro or onyx (for preamps) and a quality AD standalone converter (benchmark, Apogee, ....)

3- A great sounding standalone preamp: Millennia is not an option (too expensive and perhaps too "standard") but someone suggested to me the SPL Goldmike mark II tube preamp or Universal Audio 2108: what do you think? How will they blend with my mics?

4- A combination of Apogee Mini-Mp (preamp) and Mini-Me (AD converter with usb)

Really it's not very simple choosing something without testing it, but you guys are so experienced and talented that i feel you'll help me clarify things.

Many thanks

Gianluca
 
The Millenia would sound incredible for what you are doing.

Since you are doing location recording, take a look at the Grace Designs Lunatec V.3. It's a portable preamp and converter in one box.

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/V3/lunatecV3.htm

I use a Grace 201, and it sounds superb on piano. I actually bought it to record piano, and pretty much only piano, and it does that job wonderfully. Michael Grace is a pianist himself, and somehow I think that comes out in how his preamps record piano. The Lunatec would be ideal for your situation in my opinion.

The Apogee setup you mention would also be good, as you get a couple clean preamps and converters in a small portable package.

I personally would skip the RME and Mackie options you mention. Not that they are bad units by any means, but for recording piano you would get *such* better results by going upmarket a bit.
 
SonicAlbert said:
The Millenia would sound incredible for what you are doing.

Since you are doing location recording, take a look at the Grace Designs Lunatec V.3. It's a portable preamp and converter in one box.

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/V3/lunatecV3.htm

............................

The Apogee setup you mention would also be good, as you get a couple clean preamps and converters in a small portable package.
Click to expand...

Many thanks SonicAlbert,
Lunatec will be my first choice, but in your opinion how many steps down is the Apogee solution? I mean big difference or comparable quality?

Gianluca
 
Not having directly compared the Apogee to the Grace, I can't really answer that. I doubt you would regret buying either of these units.

However, my feeling about the Grace is that there is a certain artisitic level to it that goes beyond technical aspects. It sounds just wonderful on piano, but brings more to the table than just being a clean preamp. It's hard to describe. I don't know if that makes sense.
 
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